[hayward]

As many of you probably know, many of the meds prescribed for ADD are controlled substances. You can get just one prescription at a time for a month.

I don't know how this has worked out for other people, but since I have been diagnosed with ADD years ago, it has been rare that I have actually taken the meds everyday. Sometimes I would just save them, so I wouldn't have to go back to the doctor every month and pay for another appt. I would just try to take them occasionally, since I seemed to need them less on certain days- like when I worked.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am quite confused about the different diagnoses that I have received and do know that they overlap. My question:

For those of you taking a med like adderall or ritalin, do you notice a longer benefit by taking them regularly- every single day?

I am trying to figure out if I have really dropped the ball with this. Maybe if I was indeed taking something everyday, my other issues might improve as well. ?

[Petunia111]

I've taken Ritalin SR for many years....every single day.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by hayward

As many of you probably know, many of the meds prescribed for ADD are controlled substances. You can get just one prescription at a time for a month.

I don't know how this has worked out for other people, but since I have been diagnosed with ADD years ago, it has been rare that I have actually taken the meds everyday. Sometimes I would just save them, so I wouldn't have to go back to the doctor every month and pay for another appt. I would just try to take them occasionally, since I seemed to need them less on certain days- like when I worked.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am quite confused about the different diagnoses that I have received and do know that they overlap. My question:

For those of you taking a med like adderall or ritalin, do you notice a longer benefit by taking them regularly- every single day?

I am trying to figure out if I have really dropped the ball with this. Maybe if I was indeed taking something everyday, my other issues might improve as well. ?

Iam on Ritalin and no I dont take it every day just places like school and meetings cause its cost to much of money too doctors and the meds I save mines to but I noticed when I dont take it every day that I get extra hyper .I rather just take it as needed

[Skully]

I take Adderall and have for a couple years now...still works the same as it did the day i started! It is a daily thing though...it is in and out of your system in 4-5 hours (short acting) and about 6-8 hours for the extended releases. It does not build up in your system like many psych meds. So long term effects depends on your ability to take them on a daily basis.

[DePressMe]

I take Dexedrine. I think it helps me to take it on a regular basis and I have for several years. Then it helps stop some off my ADD behavior before it starts.

[sunrise]

My PNP tries to get me to take it every day whether I think I need it or not--I take Vyvanse. She told me studies have shown there is benefit to being regular about taking it. I am not good about taking it. I forget sometimes and other times I don't take it deliberately. When I do take it, I notice a big improvement. That annoys me, for some reason. So then I may not take it every day because I'm annoyed at doing better on it. I've just started back to school this week and it's a pretty intense quarter, so I am trying hard to take it every day. I took it every day this week. I also take Wellbutrin daily for ADHD and I am very consistent about taking this.

Since I don't take the Vyvanse every single day, I have saved up some extra pills. I would hate to be in the situation of really needing a med, running out, and not being able to get another prescription soon enough from my PNP. So it is good to have a backlog. My PNP writes me 2 prescriptions at a time (and postdates one of them), so I don't have to see her every month. I'm really busy and have a hard time finding time to see her, so if I use up both prescriptions, she will let me do a phone meds management session with her and then mail me a prescription. She charges me the same for this as in person. It is very convenient. I am very stable on Vyvanse and Wellbutrin and am needing no dosage adjustments or additional medications, so it is not hard for us to do a simple session over the phone. If I was having more trouble, she would make me come in person.

Hayward, I wrote about that, because I thought maybe you could do something like with your prescriber--have him/her write two prescriptions at a time for you, one for this month and one for next.

[Vita]

I definitely do not want to be off my Rialin- ever.
In scandinavia we pay medical treatment expences up to a (quite low) limit, then get it free. For chronic disorders, when paying, the price is 38% off.
Full time emplyed, I would, and can gladly spend the money on meds anyhow

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by hayward

As many of you probably know, many of the meds prescribed for ADD are controlled substances. You can get just one prescription at a time for a month.

I don't know how this has worked out for other people, but since I have been diagnosed with ADD years ago, it has been rare that I have actually taken the meds everyday. Sometimes I would just save them, so I wouldn't have to go back to the doctor every month and pay for another appt. I would just try to take them occasionally, since I seemed to need them less on certain days- like when I worked.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am quite confused about the different diagnoses that I have received and do know that they overlap. My question:

For those of you taking a med like adderall or ritalin, do you notice a longer benefit by taking them regularly- every single day?

I am trying to figure out if I have really dropped the ball with this. Maybe if I was indeed taking something everyday, my other issues might improve as well. ?

But Iam now taking my meds everyday because when I was not taking it everyday I got too the point where I could not focus or remember things

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Vita

I definitely do not want to be off my Rialin- ever.
In scandinavia we pay medical treatment expences up to a (quite low) limit, then get it free. For chronic disorders, when paying, the price is 38% off.
Full time emplyed, I would, and can gladly spend the money on meds anyhow

Yeah Ritalin Is a good med but for me I just take It when I go too school because other than that I be fine but I mainly need it for school to focus and take notes.

[Vita]

Ritalin makes me feel calm and relaxed, has taken the tension out of my back and jaw muscles and helps me stop the swirlig thoughts hindering sleep (unless las dose was a bit too late).

[ysoalone]

Originally Posted by hayward

As many of you probably know, many of the meds prescribed for ADD are controlled substances. You can get just one prescription at a time for a month.

I don't know how this has worked out for other people, but since I have been diagnosed with ADD years ago, it has been rare that I have actually taken the meds everyday. Sometimes I would just save them, so I wouldn't have to go back to the doctor every month and pay for another appt. I would just try to take them occasionally, since I seemed to need them less on certain days- like when I worked.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am quite confused about the different diagnoses that I have received and do know that they overlap. My question:

For those of you taking a med like adderall or ritalin, do you notice a longer benefit by taking them regularly- every single day?

I am trying to figure out if I have really dropped the ball with this. Maybe if I was indeed taking something everyday, my other issues might improve as well. ?

i am using adderall 60 mg. a day, i find that the regularity of taking the medication is a double edge sword, but it works, i feel more managable on the days i am medicated whereas on the days i have run out i become a wreck

[hayward]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. I went back for my appt, and was able to get a prescription for basically 60 days of some adderall (splitting tablets).
I won't take it everyday. I think there will be a sleep issue, but it is not a high dose. If I would just get up earlier in the morning, and also get some exercise, maybe that would help!!

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Vita

Ritalin makes me feel calm and relaxed, has taken the tension out of my back and jaw muscles and helps me stop the swirlig thoughts hindering sleep (unless las dose was a bit too late).

Yeah it is a good med

[Perna]

Now that you have a larger amount; I would try it both ways; do a two-week study of each way? See how you react and if the sleeping is better/worse or other issues get better/worse, etc.

[lavieenrose]

I went back on vyvanse extended release recently, and thought that it gave me more drive to get more done. But, I'm noticing with some alarm that my concentration for reading, comprehension, retension, and ability to organize and express thoughts is worse than ever. Or at least it seems that way. Anxiety and depression can cause this. Stimulants also make me feel tense, wired. My muscles are in a knot. Before vyvanse, I tried dextroamphetamine and then adderall. My Pdoc thought that up to 80 mg. was fine, but this seemed excessive to me, even hazardous. Sometimes, I find a balance if I take xanax, but that's not wise in the long-term.

[Whisper of help]

I take Concerta, and there's actually a bit of dependency associated with it. I notice that I get headaches and feel really crummy if I don't take it every day. Through Tricare, I can actually get a three month prescription, but that's only if it's mailed. Otherwise, I have to get a 1 month supply from the doctor.

I take it every day, not because I feel like there's a benefit to taking it consecutively, but because it makes my life so much more manageable. When I don't take it, I can't focus at ALL unless I'm able to move around and get my blood pumping. But if I'm not moving, I feel sluggish and tired, and I feel less motivated to get up and move, which starts a cycle. Playing video games helps me a lot if I don't have my meds, but I can't do that if I'm at school or going out somewhere. I take it every day so that I can actually think.

[Minah Byrd]

Great question, I've been asked this a zillion times (I'm a shrink). It depends on the person, and type and severity of their ADHD as well as the side effects they get. For young children with combined type (very hyper), everyday is a must. For mostly inattentive types, you can get away without it on weekends or days when you just dont need much focus. But it you have severe ADHD, going a day without it might cause unnecessary impulsive behaviors or problems with others. As far as side effects, if the stimulants cause too much weight loss, especially in people still growing, I find it important to try to either push nutritional shakes everyday, or skip the meds on weekends and breaks. Sometimes just a reduction in dose on those days can help the appetite come back, and sometimes help with sleep as well.

[Dog Lady]

I believe that when you take a drug on a regular basis you build a tolerance. As your body grows also you need more of the drug to get the same effect as you were getting when you first started on the dose. My doctor prescribes me a medication that is more affordable but it acts just like the other medication that you listed. My doctor also said it is okay to take a break from taking the medicine. If you are trying to save money then those are the two options you should use. Again, you can either ask your doctor to prescribe something that isn't so expensive and you can take the medication as you have been so you don't need to get a prescription every month. I don't know how it is in your state but you could also ask the state office where you would apply for financial help if you didn't have a job, in Vermont it is called the Department of Social Welfare and you can ask for a voucher so that they will pay for your medicine. There are limits to who can get the help of course but it is worth a shot if in fact you are trying to save money with getting your medicine and being able to take it when you are sappossed to.

Originally Posted by hayward

As many of you probably know, many of the meds prescribed for ADD are controlled substances. You can get just one prescription at a time for a month.

I don't know how this has worked out for other people, but since I have been diagnosed with ADD years ago, it has been rare that I have actually taken the meds everyday. Sometimes I would just save them, so I wouldn't have to go back to the doctor every month and pay for another appt. I would just try to take them occasionally, since I seemed to need them less on certain days- like when I worked.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I am quite confused about the different diagnoses that I have received and do know that they overlap. My question:

For those of you taking a med like adderall or ritalin, do you notice a longer benefit by taking them regularly- every single day?

I am trying to figure out if I have really dropped the ball with this. Maybe if I was indeed taking something everyday, my other issues might improve as well. ?

[Vita]

I can not detect any tolerace to Ritalin now, after 1,5 yrs.
A funny thing is discovering more and more tasks that used to be difficult, but no anymore.
Today, at a meeting it was a pleasure to experience that I could express my opinion when it was my turn. Nort blurting out immeadiately or waiting and not remembering.